Protector cleat for heels and toes of soles of boots, shoes and the like

ABSTRACT

A protector cleat intended for use in the wear surfaces of heels as well as toes of soles of boots, shoes and the like and which, once inserted into the heel or sole, resists any tendency to be removed or fall out of the same. The cleat is formed of a barbed longitudinally extending shank having a head portion disposed normal to the axis thereof at one end thereof, the cleat adapted to be forcably driven into the heel or sole of the shoe with the exterior surface of the head portion engaging the wear surface of the heel or sole and protecting the portion thereof most liable to wear thus reducing the rate of wearing down of the heel or sole in which the cleat is used.

United States Patent [1 1 Heptig [451 Oct. 22, 1974 I I PROTECTOR CLEATFOR HEELS AND TOES OF SOLES OF BOOTS, SHOES AND THE LIKE [76] Inventor:Paul M. Heptig, 2707 Kansas Avc.,

McKeesport, Pa. 15132 [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 420,939

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l9,l9() 0/1900 Great Britain 36/67 CPrimary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson [57] ABSTRACT A protector cleatintended for use in the wear surfaces of heels as well as toes of solesof boots, shoes and the like and which. once inserted into the heel orsole, resists any tendency to be removed or fall out of the same. Thecleat is formed of a barbed'longitudinally extending shank having a headportion disposed normal to the axis thereof at one end thereof, thecleat adapted to be forcably driven into the heel or sole of the shoewith the exterior surface of the head portion engaging the wear surfaceof the heel or sole and protecting the portion thereof most liable towear thus reducing the rate of wearing down of the heel or sole in whichthe cleat is used.

3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PROTECTOR CLEAT FOR HEELS AND TOES OF SOLESOF BOOTS, SHOES AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates generally to foot apparel and protectormeans therefor and more particularly to a novel and improved cleatintended to be forcably driven into the heel or sole of the shoe toreduce the rate of wearing down of the heel or sole into which it isinserted.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has long been known in the art thatportions of an individuals heel and sole of a shoe, boot and the likewear out at a greater rate than the remaining portions of the heel andsole, this being caused by the way an individual walks, such as byscraping portions of the sole or heel along the pavement thus inducingincreased wear at such scraped portions.

This problem has long been known in the art, and as such different typesof protector devices are found in the prior art and are intended formounting in one way or another to a heel or toe portion of a shoe toreduce the wear thereof, however, such devices are not fullysatisfactory as they suffer from one or more disadvantages not readilyaccepted by the consuming populace, such as a tendency to fall out ofthe heel or sole after having been inserted thereinto for a period oftime, sliding relative to the heel or sole so as to project downwardlytherefrom and provide a potential hazard to the person as to catchingthe same on the pavement to cause a tripping or stumbling movement ofthe person, requiring predrilled holes in the heel or sole prior to theinsertion of the protective device, and/or require that the protectivedevice be inserted into the heel or sole by a person skilled in doing soand requiring special tools and know-how to properly accomplish thedesired end result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention remedies and overcomesthe foregoing deficiencies and disadvantages of presently availableprotective devices for use with the heels and soles of boots, shoes andthe like by providing a novel cleat readily inserted into the heel orsole of a shoe by being simply aligned therewith and then driventhereinto with a hammer or the like, the shank of the cleat being barbedin a manner to prevent removal or shifting of the cleat once properlydriven into position such that the cleat becomes a permanent part of thesole and heel and is only removable therefrom upon the application of adirect force applied thereto specifically for the purpose of removingthe same.

It is feature of the present invention to provide a protective cleat forthe heel or toe of a shoe and which may be readily inserted by anindividual without any special knowledge and with only requiring the useof a hammer or the like to drive the cleat into position.

A further feature of the present invention provides a cleat readilyattached to a heel or sole portion of a shoe for reducing the rate ofwearing down of such portion.

Among further features and advantages of the present invention is theprovision of a protective cleat intended for attachment to a heel orsole of a shoe to retard the wear thereof, the cleat being relativelysimple in its construction and therefore readily manufactured at arelatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; it being devoidof moving parts and therefore unlikely to get out of order; it beingrugged and durable and therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturerto withstand many years of intended usage; it is easy to install intothe heel or sole and reliable and efficient in operation after onceinstalled; it may be installed at the factory as part of a new shoe, orit may be readily attached at any later date as an accessory itemthereto; and in addition it is otherwise well adapted to perform theservices required of it. These are among the features and advantageswhich have been borne in mind in-the production and development of thepresent invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, and in which like reference characters areemployed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe with a pair of cleats constructedin accordance with the present invention disposed in positionpreparatory to be attached to the heel and sole portions of the shoe;

FIG. 2 is a bottom elevational view of a cleat attached to a shoe heeland projecting from the wear surface thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the cleat of FIG. 2 attached to ashoe heel;

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of the cleat;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the cleathaving a flat rather than a spherical exterior head surface;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the cleat of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the cleat of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a further modified form of the cleat of the invention;

FIG. 9 is bottom plan view of the cleat of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the cleat of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsin detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, a first preferredform of a cleat constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention is designated generally in its entirety by thereference numeral 10 and is comprised of two component parts, namely anelongated shank portion 11 and an enlarged head portion 12. As seen inFIG. 1, the shank 11 may be of different lengths so as to accomodatedifferent thicknesses of heels and soles of shoes, boots and the like,such as the heel l5 and sole toe portion 16 of a shoe 17 on anindividuals foot 18. The cleat 10 may be manufactured out of anysuitable satisfactory material having high wear and abrasion resistantcharacteristics, with the preferred embodiment being manufactured of anysuitable metal such as iron, brass, steel or the like.

The head portion 12 may be of a circular or kidney shape configurationwith the circular configuration being shown in the present drawings forpurposes of i1- lustration, the head portion including a flat bottomsurface 21 and a convex exterior surface 22, the edges 23 of the convexsurface preferably beviled downward to project slightly outwardly of thebottom surface 21 about the circumference thereof in a manner to biteinto the wear surface 19 of the heel when the cleat 10 is installedthereinto. The shank 11 is formed integrally with head portion 12 anddisposed concentrically of bottom surface 21 and projects axiallyoutwardly therefrom, the shank having a body portion 25 with a series oftandem conically shaped barbs 26 disposed therealong to provide a seriesof edges 27 along the shank. In addition, the bottom surface 21 of headportion 12 is provided with a series of angularly spaced apart pointedflange like members 28 formed integrally with the bottom surface andprojecting outwardly therefrom in the same direction as the shank 11.

In operation, cleat 10 is oriented relative to wear surface 19 of heel15 over the position thereon in which it is desired to insert the cleat,the point 29 of shank ll contacting the wear surface with the shankextending perpendicular thereto, after which the exterior surface 22 ofhead portion 12 is firmly struck with a hammer or the like to drive theshank into the body of the heel until the bottom surface 21 is in flushengagement with wear surfacel9 with edge 23 biting into the wear surfaceand flanges 28 engaging the heel body. The exterior surface 22 nowprovides a protective wear surface on the heel to reduce the rate ofwearing down of the heel of the shoe during use of the same. The barbs26 having edges 27 prevent movement or withdrawal of the cleat 10 fromthe heel or sole of the shoe.

In addition, there may be provided in exterior surface 22 adiametrically extending slot 30 intended for use with a driving tool orthe like (not shown) which may be supplied with the cleat to assist inaligning the cleat with the wear surface and then driving the same thereinto.

Referring now FIGS. 5 to 7 inclusive of the drawings, there isillustrated a modified embodiment of the invention which issubstantially identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 except that thehead portion is provided with a flat exterior surface 22' rather thanthe previously described convex exterior surface 22. Further, theflanges 28 are disposed adjacent edge 23. The remainder of the shank andhead portions are the same as previously described with regard to FIGS.l-4 and as such identical reference numerals have been applied theretobut of a higher order in order to avoid needless repetition ofdescription.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10 inclusive of the drawings, there isillustrated yet a further modified embodiment of the invention whereinthe head portion is designated by reference numeral 40 and issubstantially identical to previously described head portion 12 as toincluding a flat bottom surface 41, a convex exterior surface 42, anouter circumferal edge 43 depending slightly outwardly of thecircumference of bottom surface 41 in a manner to bite into the wearsurface 19 of a heel 15 or sole l6, and a plurality of angularlydisposed flanges 44 projecting outwardly of bottom surface 41. Further,a diametrically extending slot 45 may be provided in exterior surface 42for the same reasons as slot 30 in head portion 12.

Formed integrally with head portion 40 concentric of 6 bottom surface 41and extending axially outwardly therefrom is a shank generallydesignated by reference numeral 46 and having a conically shaped pointedend 47 and a cylindrically shaped base end 48. Base 48 is connected toterminal end 47 by an elongated shaft 49 having formed at longitudinallyspaced intervals therealong radially extending disc like members 50 of adiameter greater than the diameter of shaft 49.

The operation of the cleat of FIGS. 840 is substantially identical asthe previously described cleats in that the shank to disposedperpendicular to the surface into which it is desired to drive thecleat, after which the head portion 40 is engaged by a suitable hammeror the like to drive the cleat into the heel or sole of the shoe withthe radial projections 50 engaging the interior body of the shoe heel ina manner to permanently retain the cleat in position therein against anynormal forces tending to loosen or remove the cleat from such surface.

In remembering that conventional cleats are normally attached to theheels and soles of shoes and the like by the driving of tacks, nails orbrads through holes in the cleats to secure the cleats to the shoe, andas such eventually result in such brads becoming loosened in the cleatand thus permitting the cleat to fall off or shift on the heel or soleto provide a hazardous situation to a person wearing the shoe havingsuch cleat thereon in such condition, it is to be appreciated that thepresent invention provides a novel cleat which may be rapidly andquickly permanently attached to the heel or sole of a shoe withoutrequiring any separate brads or the like, such attachment being in apermanent manner resisting any normal forces tending to loosen or removethe cleat from the shoe once mounted therein.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shownand described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, andthat this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement ofparts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in thisspecification as various changes in the details of construction as toshape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novelconcepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A protectivetype cleat intended for use with shoes, boots and the like and adaptedto be driven into the wear surface of the heels and soles of such bootsand shoes, the cleat comprising:

a head portion have a flat bottom surface adapted to be mounted flushwith the wear surface of the heel or sole;

an exterior top wear surface on said head portion;

an outer peripheral edge extending completely about the peripheral edgeof the head portion flat bottom surface and projecting slightlyoutwardly from the plane thereof to define a shoulder like annular rimfor penetrating into the wear surface of the heel or sole when the headportion bottom surface is disposed flush thereto;

a plurality of angularly spaced apart outwardly projecting pointedflange members mounted on the head portion bottom surface and projectingoutwardly therefrom in a direction normal thereto for engaging in apenetrating manner the heel or sole wear surface upon the head portionbottom surface being disposed flush thereto, there being a total of fourflange members each spaced ninety degrees apart from each other, each ofthe flange members being spaced radially inwardly from the peripheraledge of the head portion bottom surface to define a circle concentricwith said peripheral edge, each of said flange members being of a flatgeneral configuration disposed along a radial axis of the circular headportion;

an aligning and driving slot extending diametrically through theexterior top wear surface of the head portion adapted for use inassisting in aligning the cleat with the wear surface of the heel orsole and then driving the cleat thereinto;

a cylindrical base member disposed concentric with said head portionbottom surface and formed integrally therewith and projecting axiallyoutwardly therefrom terminating in an outer end;

an elongated cylindrical shaft member of a diameter less than thediameter of said base member being formed integrally with said basemember and concentric therewith and extending axially outwardly fromsaid base member outer end and terminating in an outer end;

a conically shaped pointed terminal member formed integrally with saidouter end of said shaft member and having the base thereof formedconcentric with the projecting outer end of said shaft member and havingits apex defining a pointed terminal end, the diameter of the base ofthe conical member being substantially equal to the diameter of saidconical base member; and

a series of longitudinally spaced apart radially extending disc membersformed integrally with said shaft member and concentric therewith andextending radially outwardly therefrom, the diameter of each disc memberbeing substantially equal to the diameter of said cylindrical basemember, said disc members being disposed completely along said shaftmember intermediate said outer end of said cylindrical base member andsaid base of said terminal conical member with the disc members engagingthe interior of the wear surface of the heel or sole when the cleat isdriven thereinto so as to resist any withdrawal or movementtendencies ofthe cleat relative to the heel or sole wear surface.

2. The protective type cleat as set forth in claim 1 wherein the headportion exterior top wear surface is flat and parallel to the headportion bottom surface.

3. The protective type cleat as set forth in claim 1 wherein the headportion exterior top wear surface is of a convex configurationprojecting outwardly from the head portion bottom surface.

1. A protective type cleat intended for use with shoes, boots and thelike and adapted to be driven into the wear surface of the heels andsoles of such boots and shoes, the cleat comprising: a head portion havea flat bottom surface adapted to be mounted flush with the wear surfaceof the heel or sole; an exterior top wear surface on said head portion;an outer peripheral edge extending completely about the peripheral edgeof the head portion flat bottom surface and projecting slightlyoutwardly from the plane thereof to define a shoulder like annular rimor penetrating into the wear surface of the heel or sole when the headportion bottom surface is disposed flush thereto; a plurality ofangularly spaced apart outwardly projecting pointed flange membersmounted on the head portion bottom surface and projecting outwardlytherefrom in a direction normal thereto for engaging in a penetratingmanner the heel or sole wear surface upon the head portion bottomsurface being disposed flush thereto, there being a total of four flangemembers each spaced ninety degrees apart from each other, each of theflange members being spaced radially inwardly from the peripheral edgeof the head portion bottom surface to define a circle concentric withsaid peripheral edge, each of said flange members being of a flatgeneral configuration disposed along a radial axis of the circular headportion; an aligning and driving slot extending diametrically throughthe exterior top wear surface of the head portion adapted for use inassisting in aligning the cleat with the wear surface of the heel orsole and then driving the cleat thereinto; a cylindrical base memberdisposed concentric with said head portion bottom surface and formedintegrally therewith and projecting axially outwardly therefromterminating in an outer end; an elongated cylindrical shaft member of adiameter less than the diameter of said base member being formedintegrally with said base member and concentric therewith and extendingaxially outwardly from said base member outer end and terminating in anouter end; a conically shaped pointed terminal member formed integrallywith said outer end of said shaft member and having the base thereofformed concentric with the projecting outer end of said shaft member andhaving its apex defining a pointed terminal end, the diameter of thebase of the conical member being substantially equal to the diameter ofsaid conical base member; and a series of longitudinally spaced apartradially extending disc members formed integrally with said shaft memberand concentric therewith and extending radially outwardly therefrom, thediameter of each disc member being substantially equal to the diameterof said cylindrical base member, said disc members being disposedcompletely along said shaft member intermediate said outer end of saidCylindrical base member and said base of said terminal conical memberwith the disc members engaging the interior of the wear surface of theheel or sole when the cleat is driven thereinto so as to resist anywithdrawal or movement tendencies of the cleat relative to the heel orsole wear surface.
 2. The protective type cleat as set forth in claim 1wherein the head portion exterior top wear surface is flat and parallelto the head portion bottom surface.
 3. The protective type cleat as setforth in claim 1 wherein the head portion exterior top wear surface isof a convex configuration projecting outwardly from the head portionbottom surface.